College of
Saint Benedict-Saint John's University
TEXTS: Warford, J Stanley: Computer Systems
Course Overview: This course is an introduction to computer systems and architecture. While computers seem like magic boxes to many people, to a computer scientist, they are no mystery. Topics covered include digital systems, machine level data representation, processor design, assembly level machine organization, memory systems, system control, organization of operating systems, concurrency, and scheduling. We will focus on the layered architecture of computer systems in order to understand how parts operate and cooperate to make an integrated machine. An important outcome of this course is helping you become a better programmer and a better computer scientist. Students who complete the class successfully should be able to:
Evaluation:
During the semester, there will be a total of 500 points
available. These will be approximately as follows:
Assignments |
60 |
Quizzes |
120 |
In-Class Exams |
200 |
Final Exam |
120 |
Total |
500 |
Your
grade is determined by the amount of points that you earn.
Points |
Grade |
450+ |
A |
435-450 |
AB |
400-434 |
B |
385-399 |
BC |
350-384 |
C |
335-349 |
CD |
300-334 |
D |
299- |
F |
Anyone
who has accumulated 350 points prior to the final may skip the final
and still receive an A.
Dates | Topics |
Notes |
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Jan 12, 14 |
Overview, C++ |
Ch 1, 2, C++ Tutorial |
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Jan 19, 21 |
C++/Data Representation |
Ch 2, 3 |
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Jan 26, 28 |
Data Representation |
Ch 3 |
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Feb 2, 4 |
Architecture |
Ch 4 |
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Feb 9, 11 |
Architecture |
Ch 4 |
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Feb 16, 18 |
Exam I/Assembly Language |
Ch 5 |
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Feb 23, 25 |
Assembly Language/Compilation |
Ch 5, 6 |
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March 1, 3 |
Compilation |
Ch 6 |
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March 8, 10 |
Compilation/Processes |
Ch 6, 8 |
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March 15, 17 |
Exam II/Storage Management |
Ch 9 |
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March 22, 24 |
Break |
Ch 11 |
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March 29, 31 |
Storage Management | Ch 9 |
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April 5, 7 |
Circuits | Ch 10 |
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April 12, 14 |
Circuits | Ch 10, 11 |
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April 19 |
Circuits | Ch 11 |
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April 26, 28 |
Computer Organization | Ch 12 |
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Friday, May 6,8:00-10:00 |
Final Exam |
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